COST: $8.5 million
ARCHITECT: John Armknecht of Stanley J. How Architects
CONTRACTOR: Kiewit Construction
Outside Forest Habitat
Visitors can view the orangutans from a 30 x 70 foot elevated platform located north of the elevator tower at 10 feet above ground level. There is also excellent viewing from inside the elevator building at the canopy level. The two man-made banyan trees rise 65 feet into the air allowing the orangutans to study visitors, the Zoo, Rosenblatt Stadium and even downtown Omaha.
One orangutan group occupies the tree habitat closest to the elevator tower while the other tree habitat houses another group of orangutans or a troop of leaf-eating monkeys. Approximately 21,211 square feet of stainless steel net covers the two outdoor habitats surrounded by trees and plants. Thousands of feet of man-made vines drape from the branches and stilt roots of the banyan tree providing active highways to all parts of the habitats. At the base of the elevator, a 20 foot waterfall and two smaller waterfalls surround a garden area complete with a bronze gorilla troop, complimenting the transition between Hubbard Gorilla Valley and Orangutan Forest.
The Owen Orangutan House
This facility was also completely remodeled. The two main exhibits and three corner displays further the primate and related species interaction, with enrichment activities and colorful graphics keeping visitors on their toes as curious animals check out their presence.
Indoor Forest Habitat
An 85 ft. long and 32 ft. indoor habitat, reaching a height of 3,126 square feet under skylights were created for monkeys and other animals to inhabit naturalistic displays surrounding the exhibit.
Behind-the-Scenes
Seven orangutan bedrooms (three new and four remodeled) provide nighttime holding and management space, approximately 1,539 sq. ft. in size.